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Line 141: − + + − The preventive measures to protect plants and crops included a few following methods which are used till date by the farmers. We see from the ancient texts that the knowledge of protection measures was well developed.+ − * driving away the pest-bird by din and noise. The Rigveda (10.68.1) thus describes, “उदप्रुतो न वयो रक्षमाणा वावदतो अभ्रियस्येव घोषा: । Like the farmers make noise to drive away the birds from fields”. − * control by rotation of crops. The Taittiriya Samhita refers to rotation of crops. Obviously that practice also afforded natural prevention of crops from incest-pest.58 − Excepting bird no other pestiferous agents were known in the preceding period. A host of such elements infesting grains in the field and unfavourable natural phenomena causing harm to crops came to be known during the Atharvavedic period. The pests inclusive of natural phenomena were.59 a) Borer (tarda) indicating either insect or bird, hooked insect (saman. ka), noxious insect (upakvasa) and locust (patan. ga), b) Rodents (vyadvaras) and rats (a – khu) c) Reptiles d) Natural phenomenon like lightening and sun. Charms and spells formed the preventive and remedial measures. The late Vedic period introduced weed as pest in addition to those recognized in the Atharvaveda. Weed was particularly wheat-pest. Preventive and remedial measures were charms and spells in association with some substances appear to have pesticidal effects. These include: a) spreading of lead after furrowing, b) burying in field the metabolic product (grass) from the bowels of sacrificed cattle and some parts of particular plant substances. Weed control was also recommended by burying of several plantsubstances in the fields before sowing of seeds.60 + + + + + + + + +
Krshi Vijnana (कृषिविज्ञानम्) (view source)
Revision as of 22:44, 11 April 2020
, 22:44, 11 April 2020→Plant Protection Measures
*'''Relation between transplantation and growth''' - Krishi parasara requires the cultivators to perform the kattana (possibly meaning thinning out) of paid in the month of Ashadha and Sravana, without which there is an indifferent and poor growth of paddy.
*'''Relation between transplantation and growth''' - Krishi parasara requires the cultivators to perform the kattana (possibly meaning thinning out) of paid in the month of Ashadha and Sravana, without which there is an indifferent and poor growth of paddy.
*'''Relation between transplantation and water''' - Water levels after transplantation of the crop plays an important role in disease prevention. In Bhadrapada month water is to be drained off, preserving it up to the roots only. This will keep paddy free from disease (Krishi parasara 193-94).
*'''Relation between transplantation and water''' - Water levels after transplantation of the crop plays an important role in disease prevention. In Bhadrapada month water is to be drained off, preserving it up to the roots only. This will keep paddy free from disease (Krishi parasara 193-94).
*'''Tree transplantation''' and grafting methods were discussed by Varahamihira. The trees are to be transplanted (sahkrdpanaviropana) after plastering them from their root up to the branches with ghee, usira, sesamum, honey, vidanga, milk (kshira) and cowdung. Varahamihira (Brh.S. 54.12-13) brings out the importance of proper spacing in planting trees.
*'''Tree transplantation''' and grafting methods were discussed by Varahamihira. The trees are to be transplanted (sahkrdpanaviropana) after plastering them from their root up to the branches with ghee, usira, sesamum, honey, vidanga, milk (kshira) and cowdung. Varahamihira (Brh.S. 54.12-13) brings out the importance of proper spacing in planting trees. The Vrksayurveda of Surapala gives directions about the plantation of trees in the section called vapanavidhi (the method of sowing). Trees are to be sown or planted on a land which is even and pleasant and in which flowers, sesamum and Masa have been scattered (Krishi parasara 63).<ref name=":1" />
*'''Sowing Seasonal Plants''': The Vrksayurveda of Surapala mentions the months for planting various trees; example mango, pomergranate, and Bakula etc. in Sravana; brinjal etc. in Asvina; Satapattrika, coriander (Dhanyaka) and Muiaka etc. in Karttika, (shloka 88). In Asadha all sorts of seeds may be sown and trees may be planted at will. Margasirsa, Pausa and Magha are forbidden for sowing etc. (shloka 90).
=== Plant Protection Measures ===
=== Plant Protection Measures ===
Pest signifies any insect, fungus, etc. which destroys plants. Pesticide means pest-killer. The major calamities, termed as Iti (ईति) were traditonally enumerated as being six: excessive rain, drought, locusts, rats, parrots and foreign invasions. All these have a reference to agriculture. The term Iti signifies an infectious disease also, but we do not find any reference to its application for the diseases of the plants. In Rig veda (6.50.1-3) we find prayers to Indra and Rudra for protecting crops from drought and lightning.
For warding off harmful insects several spells and rites are prescribed in the Atharvaveda against insects, rodents, borers, locusts, and moles harming the field. The Vrkshayurveda of Surapala has two sections, one the knowledge of the diseases of trees (rogajnana) (shlokas 165-183) and the other on the treatment (chikitsa) of the diseases of plants (shlokas 184-222).
We see from the ancient texts that the knowledge of protection measures was well developed.
* '''Physical methods''' like driving away the pest-bird by din and noise - The Rigveda (10.68.1) thus describes, “उदप्रुतो न वयो रक्षमाणा वावदतो अभ्रियस्येव घोषा: । Like the farmers make noise to drive away the birds from fields”.
* '''Scarecrows''' - by fixing poles of various designs, was resorted to in order to scare away mischievous birds and beasts.
* '''Control by rotation of crops'''. The Taittiriya Samhita refers to rotation of crops. Obviously that practice also afforded natural prevention of crops from incest-pest.<ref name=":3" />
*'''Cures for Tridosha of trees''': The Vrkshayurveda text prescribes cures for trees suffering from the disorders of wind, phlegm and bile (184-92). It gives detailed advice about the treatment of trees infested with insects (193-98). or destroying insects the text recommends administering of water containing milk, carcass water (kunapa), Bhillota, Vaca and cowdung etc.
*'''Cure for Injuries to trees''': A worm-eaten plant is to be irrigated with a solution of oil-cake in water. Insects on leaves are destroyed by dusting them with ashes and brick-dust. Injury caused by insects is healed by a plastering of Jantughna, sesamum, cow’s urine, ghee and Siddhartha and by watering with milk.
*'''Pesticides use''' - It was limited and plants be systematically sprinkled with ash-dust and lime-water to remove the damage caused by vermins.<ref name=":1" />
== Agricultural implements ==
== Agricultural implements ==
All the agricultural operations were carried out by implements suited to them. The artefacts and innovations were moulded according to the nature of soil, dimension of cultivable field and above all techniques involved in particular operation. Vedic implements show four types of implements. These are:
All the agricultural operations were carried out by implements suited to them. The artefacts and innovations were moulded according to the nature of soil, dimension of cultivable field and above all techniques involved in particular operation. Vedic implements show four types of implements. These are: